There's A Problem With Online Play In Watch Dogs 2

Watch Dogs 2 doesn't launch until tomorrow but Ubisoft is already having problems with the game's multiplayer, resulting in people being unable to access it. There is some good and bad news regarding this development, but people buying the game on launch day may not like it.

Eurogamer is reporting that the seamless multiplayer feature for Watch Dogs 2 has been disabled by Ubisoft over the weekend. Early copies were sent out to reviewers and streamers but engaging in the multiplayer resulted in the game eventually lagging and crashing, thus causing Ubisoft to remotely disable the seamless multiplayer for now. Reviews have been delayed in response to this issue, including the one here at Cinema Blend.

Eurogamer tested some of the features, and they reported that seamless modes like the DedSec co-op missions with random people from around the world in Watch Dogs 2 did not work. They also reported that the multiplayer will attempt to find players locally, regionally and then globally and then it will "fail to connect".

They did reach out to Ubisoft about the problem because the embargo has lifted on the game and yet this key multiplayer component is not working as it should. Ubisoft was kind enough to respond to them to let them know that they have already issued a patch to Microsoft and Sony for certification. It will take a little while before that patch will be ready but it will not be ready in time for Watch Dogs 2's launch day tomorrow.

So one of the key features in the game will be inaccessible for a lot of players. In a way, PC gamers get it off easy because the game isn't due to launch until November 29th anyway, so by then the multiplayer issues should be solved. It's also interesting because in this particular case the console gamers will be beta-testing the patches for the PC gamers, who will have to wait a little while before they can get their hands on the open-world hacktion sequel.

There is a caveat of good news, though. Ubisoft did reveal that LAN play is still available for the multiplayer, as well as manually using the in-game online menu to connect to players does work. You can manually send a request to link up with people in Watch Dogs 2 and Eurogamer and Ubisoft have acknowledged that this feature is still usable. So if you have a friend and the two of you want to co-op your way through the game, it's completely doable... so long as you connect with each other manually.

Given that the game is fairly large and offers a ton of side-activities, it's likely that most gamers won't miss out on the random multiplayer features at first glance because they'll be too busy completing the main story missions and likely spending the first couple of days getting acquainted with the mechanics, the controls, and the features.

If Ubisoft can get the patch out in time, they might be able to recover what's starting to look like a slightly bungled launch for Watch Dogs 2.

The game is due to drop on November 15th tomorrow for the PS4 and the Xbox One. The PC version will arrive a couple of weeks after that.